Telegram-herald., 1887-09-10
CAR[ISLES CONTEST
HE HAs coNeOgNoE n T-E COUNT
De Proposes - I-st ths Case Rsst oa sks
ksesrs ss a49s Up oy sis oEPs-
Esas Uislsaas Esgsrd -
Iscan1e@llk8ss.

WAssgssF0s, sept 9.-Ns Carlisle. Ia
explaining his posiii0a ia the Thobe con-
test. sad LAT nigbt Il d91't vzEE 10 trY
tie case IN shs newspapers, BAT tsere Is
such 4 singular apyleheasl0n In regard
to It that II Is not proper for me 20 say
took no testimony. for the staple reason
tAat Il Vas not necessary for me 70 do so.
Tns contestant charged fraud aud Irregular
lties IA almost every precinct Ia The Dis
tficf, out did not attempt 20 prove anything
except where four illegal votes were east Tor
ne at the one precinct Ia Ccyingt0n, and |
DO not think the evidence sufficient 10
show that these four votes were actually
cas-. for ne. But. assuming they we're, II
makes 40 difference in ths result ss 20 my
majority. sl5. The charges thai intend %
rely upon q tecnnicslitY and will ask an
extension Til later % take testimony IL pre-
posterous. The member. Of the HOUSE csn
take the record just as my opponents have
male u up and upoa that eau decide the
case without interference from me
Casllsle's action. aud the position taken
BY the ex-Speaker OF the House as out
lined, Is regarded by eli Democrats aud by
many Republicans here as dignihed and
CONSTANT, and an indication OF trm fell-
snes on the justice OF bis claim TO the seat.
The Democrats Ray that his course and
conduct In this matter is IN keeping with
the character Of the man. who is willing
70 be judged without the interposiiion Of
technical plea, and who is perfectly con-
tented 10 let his opponent present ali the
proof he can find, and thsn step down and
out II he can procure enough 10 convince
mis- fellow Representatives in Congress that
be procured his seat By vroug-doing.
In this connection. il may be mentioned,
that the only contested election case. iur-
nishing q parallel 20 the Thobe-Carlisle
contest, and which also furnishes a prece-
dent for Carlisles guidance should be be
reelected Speaker, occurred in tbs Twenty
eighth Congress. when John Minor Bolts
! contested the election of John IL. Jones. OF
Virginia. Mr.. Jones was elected Speaker Of
the House by his party majority, and he
| appointed all the committees except that
on elections. Instead of appointing that
committee, Speaker Jones called one of the
Democratic members to preside, and taking
the floor asked permission 10 make per-
sonal explanation. He stated that his seat
Was contested by a gentleman who had run
| against him at the last election, and that AS
| a Committee on Elections would have TO
determine the case, be was not
willing to appoint that committee.
He asked the House TO take the matter in
| lis hands and elect members TO constitute
| the Committee on Elections. After Speaker
] Jones had concluded his statement several
! motions were made. but one to the effect
that the member whom Jr. Jones bad
called to the chair. then acting-Speaker. be
authorized 70 appoint the election com
mittee, was carried. The committee was
| appointed by the acting-Speaker. and that
| committee heard and determined the con-
| test.
If Mr.. Carlisle is candidate next winter,
| and is reelected Speaker, be will then find
himself in q situation similar TO that il
| which Mr.. Jones was placed.
An impression prevails here that Mr.
| Carlisle will do as the Virginia Congress
| man did. ask the House to appoint the
| Committee on Elections.